Harrop 'Over The Moon' With Debut Goal

Manchester United debutant Josh Harrop revealed he is ‘over the moon’ his dream came true following a sensational debut goal at Old Trafford in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Harrop, who had scored a hat-trick at Old Trafford six days earlier for the Reserves, opened the scoring for the Reds with a fine individual goal, curling a right-footed effort into the top corner.

Paul Pogba doubled United’s lead, four minutes later, to secure a win in the final Premier League match of the season, but it will be the Reds' young attacking star who will grab the headlines and he told MUTV after the game that he had goosebumps in the tunnel beforehand.

“I’ve dreamed about it so many times so, for it to come true today, I’m delighted," he enthused. "Over the moon!

“All my family were here, my friends – I’m delighted they could share the moment with me. I’ve trained since I was eight for this moment so, for it to come true today in front of everyone, I’m over the moon, speechless.”

The youngster enjoyed the magical moment in style with a unique telephone celebration and the forward revealed the meaning behind it.

"It’s a bit of a joke with one of the lads, Kieran O’Hara, so I did it for him, he said. "I did it in the last game as well, so it’s just something I do."

Harrop admitted getting on the ball early was crucial in helping him settle into the game and that he took belief from the Reserves game when he scored a hat-trick in front of Jose Mourinho.

"I walked down the tunnel and was getting goosebumps, thinking ‘I’m actually doing this’," he said.

“I said to myself: ‘I want to get on the ball early and get as many touches as I can’. That’s what I did and it helped me progress in the game,” he continued.

“I’ve been played through, cut inside, opened it up and put it in. I took the confidence from my last game with the Reserves, when I scored a hat-trick here in front of the manager. That helped me coming into the game as I felt in good form, so it was good for me.”

Harrop was joined by Demi Mitchell on debut for the Reds as well as a full bow for midfielder Scott McTominay plus keeper Joel Pereira, and the 21-year-old revealed the youngsters all wanted to enjoy their experience at Old Trafford.

“We all said to each other: ‘This is a massive moment for us all and we just want to go out there and enjoy it’. It’s the last game of the season and we were given a chance to impress. Everyone out there did themselves proud – everyone did more than enough. It was a great performance from the lads.”

Harrop, a boyhood United fan whose auntie called in to MUTV afterwards to share her delight, now hopes he can kick on and gain more first team experience next season.

“I can only leave it in the manager’s hands, he concluded. “That’s what I want to do week in, week out – play at Old Trafford. I’ve supported United since I was born and it’s my dream to be out there playing and scoring.”